WHIPS AND SPURS 115 



of course exercise a considerable degree of precaution, 

 and be on your guard against any attempts the 

 animal may make to strike you. In the case of some 

 horses no difficulty is experienced at this part of the 

 proceedings, but others are not quite so compliant. 

 Stand well forward from the hind quarters when 

 engaged upon this part of the business. Raise the 

 dock with the right hand, and use the left one to pass 

 the crupper under the animal's tail. After this has been 

 done, the tail should be let down gently. Your next 

 proceeding is to clear the hair of the dock from under 

 the crupper, for which purpose you should pass the 

 forefinger on each side between the dock and the 

 crupper. Now raise the crupper close up to the point 

 at which the dock joins the body, and let the latter 

 down again gently. 



Having adjusted the crupper, see that its 

 position is kept in proper relation to the rest of the 

 tackle. The latter should not be put on too tight — 

 rather loose on the whole — ^for fear the colt should 

 feel " fixed up " in an uncomfortable degree. 



Once you have made the tackle all right, begin 

 to work the colt round you either at the pace he 

 naturally falls into or at the trot, and you ought to 



